Removing Sarfraz from captaincy would be wrong: Miandad

Published November 7, 2018
Sarfraz Ahmed. — AP/File
Sarfraz Ahmed. — AP/File

ISLAMABAD: Batting legend Javed Miandad on Tuesday said it will be a wrong move by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if Sarfraz Ahmed is removed from national captaincy, noting the team is doing well under the wicket-keeper’s leadership.

Talking to APP, Miandad said the credit goes to Sarfraz for winning the back-to-back Twenty20 series against Australia and New Zealand.

“However, ODIs and Tests are real cricket on the basis of which a team’s capability is judged. Our players must perform in longer formats to prove their place in the team. The real test for Pakistan will be the one-dayers against New Zealand,” former Pakistan captain Miandad said of the three-match ODI series beginning in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

“Our players must try to play out full 50 overs in order to score handsome totals. Our [main] batsmen need to stay at the wicket for 35 to 40 overs so that there are enough wickets in hand to increase scoring rate in the final overs, Miandad, a veteran of 124 Tests and 233 ODIs, insisted.

When asked why he thought he was not considered by the present PCB regime for the newly-formed cricket committee or any relevant post in the Board, Miandad said “it is their choice if they do not want my help to improve cricket affairs”.

Meanwhile, former Test wicket-keeper Saleem Yousuf said Sarfraz must lead the team till the 2019 World Cup, saying players are performing very well under his captaincy.

Talking to APP, Saleem said recently Pakistan beat Australia and New Zealand in the T20 series which is a great achievement for Sarfraz.

“Ups and downs come in the life of every player. However, it does not mean that Sarfraz has given up. He is a fighter who has always come up victorious in every situation,” he said.

“The PCB must form a formidable team for the 2019 World Cup keeping in mind the conditions and pitches in England.”

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...